Revolution Day in Mexico
REVOLUTION
DAY
November
20th ~~~Revolution Day in Mexico
This
date is important in Mexican history because it marks the beginning of the war
to overthrow the dictator Porfirio Diaz.
General Porfirio Diaz, an important figure during the wars against the
foreign invaders, came to power when he rebelled against Lerdo de Tejada in
1876.
For
most of Mexico’s developing history, a small minority of people under the rule
of Don Porfirio (as he was called) controlled most of the country’s power and
wealth. Mexico had political stability
and grew in many areas, creating new industries, railroads, and miles of
railroad tracks as well as the increase in foreign capital. During this 30 year span (1875 – 1910) the
majority of the population worked in poverty.
Under the leadership of General Porfirio Diaz, the rift between the poor
and the rich grew and the political voice of the lower classes declined. Opposition surfaced when Francisco I. Madero,
educated in France and the University of California, led a series of strikes
throughout the country.
Madero
came from a wealthy family from Coahuila.
He fought against reelection and for democracy and liberty in Mexico
through his political newspaper articles. He founded the Anti-Reelectionist
Party in early 1909 and the party designated him to run for President in the
election of 1910.
Now
under constant pressure, Diaz ordered the imprisonment of Madero on June 6th. Francisco I. Madero imprisoned in San Luis
Potosi, awaited he results of the elections. When he learned that through an
electoral fraud Diaz had declared himself President of Mexico once again,
Madero, always before a pacifist, decided to flee from prison and called for a
National Insurrection on November 20, 1910.
Madero
declared the electoral process invalid and appointed provisional
Governors. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua,
was taken by the insurrectionists: Pascual Orozco and Francisco “Pancho”
Villa. After the city surrendered, Madero
set up his provisional government there.
Diaz was forced to resign and flee the country.
Some
of the more important Revolutionaries were Pascual Orazco, Francisco Villa in
the north and Emilliano Zapata in the south.
When
new elections were held in 1911, Madero was elected president. Peace did not come to this country for awhile
due to several Revolutionary leaders unable to settle their differences. While Madero wanted to work steadily and
patiently towards bettering the economic and social situation, many
revolutionary commanders wanted immediate change. For example, Pascual Orozco, led and lost a
revolt against Madero.
President
Madero was also attacked by three Porfirist generals, who in turn made the
fatal decision of appointing Victoriano Huerta to repress the offensive. History would prove the Victoriano Huerta was
the utmost traitor of the Revolution.
Accomplices of Huerta captured and assassinated Madero. The vice president and a brother of Madero
were also killed. The entire country
existed in a state of disorder for several years. Pancho Villa rampaged through the north, and
different factions fought for presidential control.
When
Venustiano Carranza rose to the presidency he organized an important convention
whose outcome was the Constitution of 1917, which is still in effect
today.
The
Revolution had at last triumphed!!!!!
If
you are in Cabo (or anywhere in Mexico) be aware that this is what is
considered an obligatory holiday and banks and schools will be closed. In Cabo, expect to see a parade at least once
during the day. The holiday will not
interfere with your appointment with your real estate agent at Cabo San Lucas
Real Estate and most shops and restaurants will be open as usual.